Which AI saves you more time? Usually the one already built into the tools your company uses.
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Gemini in Google Workspace | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it lives | Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint | Gmail, Meet, Docs and other Workspace apps |
| Summarize threads and draft replies in Outlook | Summarize threads and draft replies in Gmail | |
| Meetings | Recap approved Teams meetings with decisions and next steps | Take notes and summarize meetings in Google Meet |
| Documents | Draft and revise Word documents; assist with spreadsheets and presentations | Draft and revise Docs; assist with Sheets and Slides |
| Starting price, US annual billing | Copilot Business is $21 per user/month, plus an eligible Microsoft 365 plan. $18 promotional rate through December 31, 2026, subject to offer terms. | Workspace Business Standard is $14 per user/month with Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Meet and more. Starter at $7 includes Gemini in Gmail and Gemini chat. |
| Before you begin | Check your license, administrator settings and approved data | Check your Workspace edition, administrator settings and approved data |
Prices checked October 12, 2026. Features depend on your plan and administrator settings. Taxes may apply.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is the AI assistant built into Microsoft’s work apps. In Outlook it summarizes long threads, drafts replies for you to edit, and helps you sort your inbox by what matters. In Teams it recaps meetings, with decisions, owners and next steps. Because it works inside your company’s Microsoft 365, it can draw on the emails, chats and files you already have access to.
Gemini is Google’s AI assistant, built into Gmail, Meet, Docs and the rest of Google Workspace. In Gmail it summarizes threads and drafts replies. In Meet it can take notes for you. In Docs it writes and rewrites first drafts. You open it from the Gemini panel at the top right of most Workspace apps.
Copilot is worth it when these three things are true.
Most of your week happens in Outlook, Teams and Office files.
You give it clear priorities instead of one-off prompts.
You use it regularly.
At$21 a month as of October 2026 for the business add-on, it pays for itself if the value of the time it saves exceeds the cost. Eligible customers can get an $18 per-user monthly rate, paid yearly, through December 31, 2026. A qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription is required.
In Ashley’s training, clear priorities and a repeatable workflow make the difference between people who keep using Copilot and people who give up.
Copilot works inside your company’s Microsoft 365 setup and only sees what you already have permission to see. The bigger risk is files shared too widely inside your company, which Copilot can then surface. Before you use it with sensitive information, ask the three questions on the data safety checklist.
Copilot and Gemini win when the work lives in your email, calendar and files, because they’re already inside those tools. ChatGPT is strongest as a thinking partner. Planning, brainstorming, rewriting, or working through a problem when you paste in the context yourself. Many people use both. Their company’s assistant for inbox and meeting work, and ChatGPT for open-ended thinking. Whatever you use, check that your company has approved it before work data goes in.
Copy the prompt that matches your tool. Replace the priorities with your own.
AI drafts, you send. That’s the box rule.
You may only have Copilot Chat. Copilot capabilities differ by app, license and your organization’s settings. Ask IT which one you have.
Your app is out of date. Update Outlook and Teams, or try the web versions.
You’re signed in with the wrong account. Copilot at work runs on your work account, not a personal Microsoft account.
Your admin hasn’t turned it on yet. Companies often roll Copilot out in stages. Ask IT when your group is scheduled.
It can’t find your file. Copilot can only use files you have access to that are saved in OneDrive or SharePoint. Move the file there, and check that it’s shared with you.